Daily Cannabis Use Surpasses Alcohol Consumption
Recent studies indicate a transformative shift in substance use patterns in the United States, with daily cannabis consumption now exceeding that of alcohol for the first time. Data from a 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health show that approximately 17.7 million Americans report daily or near-daily cannabis use, compared to about 14.7 million for alcohol. This trend has been unfolding over decades as marijuana has become increasingly legal and socially accepted across many states .
The steady rise in marijuana use has its roots in several contributing factors. Cannabis legalization initiatives across nearly 40 states have granted millions of Americans access to marijuana for medical or recreational use. Researchers point to this access, as well as changing societal attitudes and cannabis’s decreasing costs, as key drivers of its widespread use. In contrast, alcohol, although legal nationwide, does not see the same growth trajectory in daily use. Jonathan Caulkins, a cannabis policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, noted that “a good 40% of current cannabis users are using it daily or near daily,” a pattern he associates more with tobacco than alcohol .
Additionally, shifting attitudes towards health and wellness are influencing these choices. Many Americans view cannabis as a “healthier” alternative to alcohol, perceiving it as less addictive and less harmful to the body in both short- and long-term use. These beliefs are supported by a growing body of research on the potential therapeutic effects of cannabis, such as its uses for pain management, anxiety reduction, and insomnia relief. However, health experts warn that daily marijuana use is not without its risks, particularly when it involves high-THC products that could contribute to dependency and potential cognitive impairments, especially among younger users .
The public health impact of this shift is still under debate. Dr. Steven Teutsch, who helped author a report from the National Academies of Sciences on cannabis use, advocates for a more cohesive public health strategy on marijuana, similar to policies governing tobacco and alcohol. Teutsch explains that increased research, along with collaboration between state and federal agencies, could help minimize potential health risks. “We’d like the federal government to step up to provide some leadership in this area,” he said, emphasizing the importance of balancing legalization with appropriate health guidelines .
This trend is reshaping the social landscape, influencing public health initiatives, and prompting calls for regulatory changes to accommodate the rising prevalence of cannabis. The increase in daily cannabis users—up from a fraction of users in the early 1990s to millions today—highlights the broader cultural shift in how Americans approach substance use and its associated lifestyle choices.